Jackie De Saulles is famous for her catchphrase, writes Patrick Gray.

The deputy headteacher at Howard Primary School in Dering Place, Croydon, can often be heard telling her pupils: "Don't say I can't do that you mean I can't do that yet'."

It is her commitment and passion for teaching which saw her pick up the regional BT Teacher of the Year award for a primary school in London at a ceremony last Wednesday.

Miss De Saulles has been inspiring pupils at Howard Primary School for the past 25 years and now teaches the children of some past students and describes the school as having a real family atmosphere.

But she says she has no plans to retire yet, adding: "When I stop enjoying my work I will retire."

Still getting used to winning her award Miss De Saulles said: "It's all a bit of a shock still."

And she admitted that teaching was not her first career choice when she was growing up: "I wanted to be an air hostess," she said. "I wanted to travel."

Her lessons have been graded as excellent by Ofsted and her pupils' achievements in the 2004 Sats placed them in the top five per cent of children nationally.

Headteacher John Robinson said: "What she has given to the life of our school is immeasurable.

"If we could only bottle what Jackie has we could make millions! She is a teacher everyone will remember for the rest of their lives."

Councillor Louisa Woodley, cabinet member for education, wished her luck for the national finals.

Miss De Saulles will be attending the national finals in October, which will be televised on the BBC.